The Americans / By an American in London.

  • Calvin Colton
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Americans / By an American in London. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    events to become associated, in the Federal compact, with the Northern States. But they are radically a different people; their state of society has fundamentally a differ- ent constitution in consequence of slavery. And so long as Congress has no power to legislate over the slavery of that portion of the Federal Union, it must either be left to such influences, as the Colonization Society and other agencies of the kind can bring to bear upon it, or there must be a civil war. These are the only alternatives. But the vio- lent interference of foreigners in behalf of the oppressed of another community, however it might be justifiable m certain cases, is allowed to be a delicate and responsible measure ; and no Christian certainly will hesitate in say- ing, that the attainment and confirmation of the rights of man by social and moral influence, is more glorious than to attempt the uncertain issue of physical force. The foimer is the course prescribed and now assaying by the American Colonization Society, in regard to slavery in America. If force must come at last, it will not be the business of that institution. It is too firm to acknowledge the right of slavery, even for a moment; and too pure to imbrue its hands in blood in the accomplishment of its holy enterprise. It is in the power of Great Britain to take a high and determined stand in regard to slavery in her Colonies ; but every reasonable man will see, that there is no such advan- tage of a controlling legislative power over the slavery of America. According to established principles of national law and the sovereignty of States, American bondage is entirely in the hands of those who are interested in its perpetuity. We speak of fact. It is however at the same time true, that there is a vast number of American slave- holders, and men of high standing and influence, op- posed to slavery in principle and conscience ; and that number is increasing every year by the public agitation of the question, constantly kept alive through the operation
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